Order Orthodox Christianity Completion date 1329 Founder Stefan Dečanski | Designated date 1979 Location Banja, Priboj, Serbia | |
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Established unknown, before the 12th century Controlled churches Church of St. Nicholas, of St. Elijah and the Church of Assumption of the Holy Virgin Heritage designation Cultural Monuments of Exceptional Importance Similar Bavanište monastery, Moračnik Monastery, Dovolja, Podmalinsko Monastery, Središte monastery | ||
Banja Monastery (Serbian Cyrillic: Манастир Бања) is a Serbian Orthodox Monastery located near Priboj, Serbia. Monastery Banja presents Cultural Monument of Exceptional Importance in Serbia.
History
Time of founding of the monastery is unknown, but the first historical sources (Studenica Typicon) mention it in the 12th century. In 1220 Banja became center of Dabar Episcopasy. There are three churches within the monastery, the Church of St. Nicholas, of St. Eliah and the Church of Ascension of the Holy Virgin. St. Nicholas Church, the main monastery church, was founded by King Stefan Dečanski (r. 1322–31) in 1329. The original church was burned during the Ottoman invasion. The church was restored in 1570 and gained its present look in 1904 when the last restoration took place. The monastery was not only center of the bishopric but the mausoleum of Vojnović noble family.